Austrocidaria arenosa

Austrocidaria arenosa is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. This moth is classified as "At Risk, Declining" by the Department of Conservation.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by George Howes in 1911 using specimens collected at Mr O'Connors house at Tītahi Bay, Porirua and given the name Eucymatoge arenosus. George Vernon Hudson discussed and illustrated this species in his 1928 publication. Hudson changed its epithet to arenosa. In 1988 John S. Dugdale discussed this change and assigned the species to a new genus Austrocidaria. The holotype specimen is held at the Natural History Museum, London.

Description

Howes described the adult moths of the species as follows:

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand. As well as the type locality of Titahi Bay, A. arenosa has also been recorded as occurring at Moeraki near Oamaru, at Paekākāriki, and near Cass.

Biology and life cycle

This species is attracted to blossoms, sugar and light. Adult moths are on the wing between November and March.

Conservation status

This moth is classified under the New Zealand Threat Classification system as being "At Risk, Declining".